High pressure diaphragm compressors and pumps



J. c. BOWEN 3,318,250

HIGH PRESSURE DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSORS AND PUMPS May 9, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheetl Filed March 9, 1966 R S 4 N w V 5 0 we H o J 0 W 0 I 7 4 lm l May 9,1967 J. c. BOWEN HIGH PRESSURE DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSORS AND PUMPS 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 9, 1966 INVE/VTGR JOHN c. B OWEN er v HATTORNEY May 9, 1967 I J. c. BOWEN 3,318,250

HIGH PRESSURE DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSORS AND PUMPS Filed March 9, 1966Sheets-Sheet 3 F/G H616 26 28 2 2-9 $0 25 5/ 90 T 5/ Q 22 46 2a 23 0 581k JOHN c. HOWE/V ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,318,250Patented May 9, 1967 tion of Pennsylvania 'Filed Mar. 9, 1966, Ser. No.533,081

20 Claims. (Cl. 10344) This application is a continuation-impart of myprior application filed Oct. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 495,294, now abandoned.

This invention relates to high pressure diaphragm compressors and pumpsand more particularly to improvements in pressure seals and packingtherefor.

Difliculties have been encountered with high pressure compressors andpumps operating at pressures of 10,000 .p.s.i.g. and higher, inpreventing fluid leakage both of the fluid being pumped and theactuating fluid.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide in highpressure diaphragm compressors and pumps, an improved and simplifiedconstruction which will avoid fluid leakage and have longer life.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in highpressure diaphragm compressors and pumps, improved sealing in which ametallic sealing element is backed up and urged to sealing position by aresilient sealing element of an elastomer or compressible material.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in highpressure diaphragm compressors and pumps, improved fluid leakagepreventing seals which are sturdy and free from likelihood of problemsin use and which will have a long useful life.

. It is a further object of the present invention to .provide highpressure diaphragm compressors and pumps having a pumped fluid and anactuating fluid and simple but effective provisions for sealing to avoidfluid leakage in which the pressure of one of the fluids can be utilizedto aid in the sealing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide high pressurediaphragm compressors and pumps of the character aforesaid in whichworking of the metal of the diaphragm is reduced and longer diaphragmlife is obtained.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will beapparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be morereadily understood from the following description taken in connection.with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly diagrammatic and partly in vertical centralsection of a diaphragm compressor in accordance with the invention, andshowing preferred sealing provisions;

FIG. 2 is. a horizontal sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately onthe line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, still further enlarged,taken approximately on the line 33 of FIG. 2; 4

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken approximately on the line44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the marginaledge of the diaphragm showing another form of sealing;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing another form of sealing;

FIG. 7 is a view further enlarged, similar to FIG. 5 showing anotherform of sealing;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing another form of sealing;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to form of sealing;

FIG. 7 showing another FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showinganother form of sealing;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing another form of sealing;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing another form of sealing;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the area at 13 ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view taken approximately at the line 14-14 ofFIG. 13.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications andchanges can be made in the structure disclosed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, inwhich a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, a mainbody 10 is provided and has a central longitudinal axial bore 11 with anupper internally threaded portion 12 and a lower internally threadedportion 13.

The threaded portion 13 has a closure ring 14 in threaded engagementtherewith. A cross head adapter 15 has the ring 14 secured theretoandhas a bore 16 communicating with a bore 17 in the ring 14.

Within the bore 11, a lower diaphragm mounting head 20 is providedhaving a central cylindrical opening 21 within which a diaphragm limitplate 22 is carried. The plate 22 has a plurality of fluid deliverybores 23 therein communicating with a dished face 25 for engagement byand limiting movement of a diaphragm 26 in one direction. The diaphragm26 is of metal and the holes-23 are of such size as to preventextrusions or deformation of the diaphragm 26 thereinto.

An upper diaphragm mounting head 28 is provided in the bore 11 and has adished face 29 providing with the diaphragm 26 a compression chamber andlimiting movement of the diaphragm 26 in the other direction. Thediaphragm 26 is interposed between and held along its outer margins bythe mounting heads 20 and 28 and these components are held in assembledrelation by a clamping nut 30 in threaded engagement in the threadedportion 12. The thickness of the diaphragm limit plate 22, is preferablyequal to or slightly less than the depth of the opening 21 so that uponcompression of the mounting head 20 pinching of the diaphragm 26 betweenthe plate 22 and the under face of the mounting head 28 will be avoided.

The upper mounting head 28 has a nut 32 with a fluid supply pipe 33carried thereby for delivery of fluid to be compressed or pumped. Thenut 32 is in threaded engagement in a portion of a bore 34 and retainsan inlet check valve 35 in place.

The upper mounting head 28 also has a nut 36 with a fluid delivery pipe37 carried thereby for delivery of fluid which has been compressed orpumped. The nut 36 is in threaded engagement in a portion of a bore 38and retains a delivery check valve 39 in place.

The check valves 35 and 39 can be of any desired type, one suitable formbeing shown in the application of Eigel J. Bacino et al., filed Jan. 8,1963, Ser. No. 250,108.

Communication is provided to the space bounded by the dished face 29 andthe diaphragm 26 by a passageway 31. The passageway 31 extending fromthe dished face 29 has an enlargement for the reception of an annulusplug 18, in an annular space 19 around its outer end and passageways 52communicating with the passageway 31.-

The dished face 29 is preferably provided with a plurality of radiallyextending grooves 53 which terminate at their outer ends inwardly of thering 50, and at their inner ends communicate with the annular space 46.The head of the .plug 19 can also be provided with radial grooves 53a.

The grooves 53 and 53a are preferably formed so as to be free fromchips, burrs or projections, and preferably have a maximum depth of theorder of 0.030 inch and a maximum width of the order of 0.015 inch withan exposed diaphragm area of the order of three square inches.

The grooves 53 and 53a are effective because of their size for reducingthe working of the metal of the diaphragm 26 as it is forced against thedished face 29 so that longer effective life ofthe diaphragm 26. isattained. Atthe same time the clearance volume in the compressionchamber between the diaphragm 26 and the dished face 25 is kept to aminimum with attendant increase in efficiency. The grooves 53 and 53aare effective to permit any trapped liquid to escape on both sides ofthe diaphragm '26.

The cross head adapter 15 has a piston assembly 40 carried thereby witha piston 40a reciprocable in a bore 41 in the mounting head 20. Theopening 21 has a passageway 42 communicating therewith, the passageway42' having a fluid supply pipe 43 carried by a nut 44, connected theretoand threaded into the head 20.

A manifold block 47 is provided to which a supply of liquid (not shown)is connected by a pipe 48, through a non-return or check valve V1. Themanifold block also has a discharge pipe 49 connected through a pressurerelief valve V2 for discharge of excess fluid as required.

In order to prevent fluid leakage at the peripheral face 45 of thediaphragm limit plate 22, a non-extrudable ring 50, of continuouscylindrical shape and of rectangular cross section, of metal, nylon orthe like is provided.

.The ring 50 engages the lower face of the diaphragm 26,

the peripheral face 45 of the limit plate .22, and the peripheral face46 of the opening 21., The ring 50 has in engagement therewith acontinuous ring 51 of elastomer which is also confined by the peripheralfaces 45 and 46 respectively engages and confines the ring 51 and acontinuous ring 54 of elastomer which is confined by the faces 45 and 46and the bottom'of the opening 21. The rings 51 and 54 are preferablyinternally of greater cross sectional area than the space they areintended to occupy in use so that their resilience can be utilized toapply onto the ring 50 and therefrom to the diaphragm 26 the pressure,ora substantial portion thereof, desired for sealing.

A fluid passageway 56 communicates with the space at the spacer ring 52and is connected to the manifold block 47 by a pipe '57 carried by a nut58 threaded in .a

bore '59 in the head 28. The pipe 57 has a non-return or check valve V3therein.

The upper face of the diaphragm 26, opposite the location of the ring 50can have applied thereto by plating or the like an integral metal band61 which engages the upper head 20.=

In order to collect fluid leakage between the head 20 and the ring 14 acircular seal plate 65 is seated in a groove 66 in the upper face of thering 14 and .has a rim portion 67 extending partially into a groove 68in the lower face of the head 28. The, groove 68 and rim portion 67.provide a space for the retention of radially spaced sealing rings 69and 70 such as O-rings. extends to the space between the sealing rings69 and 70 and is connected by a pipe 73 carried in a bore 75 in themounting head 20. A non-return or check valve V4 is provided in the pipe73.

In order to prevent fluid leakage between the facing portions of theheads 20 and 28 the head 20 has a peripheral groove 78 spaced from thediaphragm 26 with a sealing ring 79, such as an O-ring therein,engagedwith the bore 11. The head 28 has a peripheral groove 80 alongits upperface, with a packing ring 81, such as an O-ring, engaged in the groove80, with the bore 11 and with the diaphragm 22. A peripheral groove -82has a A fluid passageway 72 4 fluid connection 83 to which a pipe 84 isconnected to conduct away any fluid leakage.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a non-extrudable ring 50 is provided as before,in engagement with the diaphragm 26 the peripheral face 46 of theopening 21 having a groove 90 within which the ring 50 is located. Alsodisposed within the groove 90 is an elastomer ring 51 which loads thering 50 by the bulk modulus of the elastomer. It is preferred that theentire space within the groove 90 be filled by the rings 50 and 51, thering 51 being compressed to the desired extent for this purpose.

In FIG. 6 a sealing construction for the diaphragm 26 similar to that ofFIG. 3 shows an additional continuous cylindrical anti-extrusion ring 91of rectangular cross section being interposed between the ring 54 andthe bottom of the opening 21. The pressure fluid connection 56 permitsof applying fluid pressure to increase the sealing pressure effectivefrom the rings 51 and 54, without'having these rings extruded by thepressures effective thereon.

In FIG. 7, a sealing construction for the diaphragm 26 is shown in whichthe anti-extrusion ring '50 has one or more rims 93 of decreased contactarea for intensifying the unit sealing pressure applied against thediaphragm 26. The rim 93 is preferably oppositely disposed with respectto the plated band 61. In order to avoid extru sion of the ring 51,small continuous rings 94 and 95 of substantially triangular crosssection can be interposed between the rings 51 and, 50 to block accessto the sides of the ring 50. The rings 94 and 95 can be of metal, nylonor the like. The likelihood of extrusion along the sides of the rings 50can thus be greatly reduced.

In FIG. 8, a sealing construction for the diaphragm 26 is shown in whichthe rings 50 and 51 and the ring 51 and-the bottom of the groove 90 haveinterposed therebetween a continuous cylindrical ring 96 of rectangularcross section and of synthetic plastic material having anti-extrusioncharacteristics such as that available under the name Delrin, from E. I.Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

In FIG. 9, the sealing construction there shown is similar to that ofFIG. 8 except for the omission of the lower ring 96.

In FIG. 10, the sealing construction is similar to that of FIG. 9,except for the addition of a continuous antiex-trusion ring 97 similarin composition and shape t the rings 94 and 95.

In FIG. 11, in the sealing construction there shown, the ring 51 hasanti-extrusion rings 94, 95 and 97 in engagement therewith.

In FIG. 12, a sealing construction is shown which is similar to those ofFIGS. 7 and 11.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

Upon reciprocation of the piston assembly 40, the piston 40a will bereciprocated.

Upon downward movement of the piston 40a, the

. diaphragm 26 will move downwardly until it reaches the face 25 whichprevents further movement.- If any fluid is required up it will besupplied from the source through the pipe 48, the valve V1, the pipe 43and the passageway 42.

Upon downward movement of the diaphragm 26 fluid enters through theinlet valve 35.

Upon upward movement of the piston 40a, the diaphragm 26-is movedupwardly for delivery of fluid past the delivery valve 39.

As the pressure effective on the lower side of the diaphragm 26increases in the event that it becomes excessive fluid will bedischarged past the valve V2.

The pressure effective from the manifold 47 through the pipe 73 and thepassageway 72 provides a fluid pressure enhanced seal between the head20 and the sealing plate 65 preventing fluid leakage at this location.

As the pressure on the diaphragm 26 is increased by upward movement ofthe piston 40a the sealing pressure on the ring 50 is effective on thediaphragm 26 remains effective or may even be increased depending uponthe sealing construction which is employed.

In the form of sealing construction shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 the fluidpressure applied through the fluid connection 56 augments the sealingpressure available from the resilience of the elastomer ring 51 and/ orthe ring 54.

In the form of sealing construction shown in FIGS. 5, and 8 to 12,inclusive, the main reliance for sealing pressure is that of theelastomer ring 51, which has been supersqueezed into the space availablefor it. Any leakage which may occur between the faces 45 and 46 tends toaugment the force from the ring 51.

I claim:

1. A diaphragm compressor or pump comprising a first diaphragm mountinghead;

a second diaphragm mounting head,

one of said mounting head-s having a diaphragm movement limiting platemounted thereon, a diaphragm interposed between said heads, said plateand one of said mounting heads having spaced portions dividing saidportions into a process fluid chamber and an actuating fluid chamber,

means for applying an actuating fluid pressure against said diaphragm,and

sealing means for preventing leakage of fluid between said diaphragm andat least one of said heads;

said sealing means including a pressure applying mem ber in engagementwith said diaphragm, and

a resilient member engaging said pressure applying member and urging ittoward said diaphragm.

2. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 1 in which saidresilient member is of an elastomer and is confined in a space smallerthan its normal and unconfined volume.

3. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 1 in which saidresilient member is an elastomer and a fluid connection is provided forapplying fluid pressure against said resilient member additive to thatof the resilient member.

4. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 1 in which saidplate and the head on which it is mounted having a space therebetween,and

said members of said sealing means are disposed in said space.

5. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 4 in which saidsealing means also includes an additional elastomeric member spaced fromsaid resilient member.

6. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 4 in which saidpressure applying member has at least one diaphragm contacting rim oflesser area than the remainder of said pressure applying member forintensifying the pressure application on said diaphragm.

7. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 4 in which saidresilient member has at said plate a-n anti-extrusion ring in engagementtherewith.

8. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 7 in which saidresilient member has an additional anti-extrusion ring in engagementtherewith spaced from said first mentioned ring.

9. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 1 in which saiddiaphragm has a plated band thereon in engagement with one of saidheads.

10. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 1 in whichadditional sealing means is provided from one of said heads forpreventing leakage of actuating fluid.

11. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 10 in which apressure fluid supply connection is provided, and

said additional sealing means has said fluid pressure connection incommunication therewith.

12. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 10 in which saidactuating fluid pressure applying means has said supply connectionconnected thereto.

13. A seal for a diaphragm comprising members in facing relation havingportions engaging said diaphragm on opposite sides thereof in holdingrelation,

a ring mounted in one of said members in radially offset relation tosaid portions and engaging one side of said diaphragm, and

a resilient ring of an elastomer engaging said first ring and urging ittoward said diaphragm.

14. A seal as defined in claim 13 in which a fluid pressure supplyconnection is provided connected to supply fluid pressure additive tothe pressure applied by said resilient ring.

15. A seal as defined in claim 13 in which said resilient ring has anextrusion preventing member in engagement therewith.

16. A seal as defined in claim 13 in which said resilient ring and saidfirst mentioned ring have an extrusion preventing ring therebetween.

17. A seal as defined in claim 13 in which said first ring has a rimthereon engaging said diaphragm and said rim is of lesser width thansaid ring for applying pressure to said diaphragm.

18. A seal as defined in claim 13 in which said diaphragm has a bandengaged with one face thereof engaging one of said members on theopposite side thereof from that with which said ring is in engagement.

19. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 1 in which afluid pressure connection is provided for applying pressure on one ofsaid mounting heads in opposition to the fluid pressure applied on saiddiaphragm and by said diaphragm against said mounting head.

20. A diaphragm compressor or pump as defined in claim 1 in which atleast one of said diaphragm mounting heads has a dished face withrespect to which the diaphragm is movable,

said face has a plug with an annular opening therearound with a fluidpassageway communicating therewith, and

said dished portion has a plurality of grooves therein extending to saidannular opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 885,835 4/1908Brush 103152 2,970,747 2/ 1961 Kasper et al 230162 3,052,188 9/1962 Wolfet al. 10344 ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner.

1. A DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSOR OR PUMP COMPRISING A FIRST DIAPHRAGM MOUNTINGHEAD; A SECOND DIAPHRAGM MOUNTING HEAD, ONE OF SAID MOUNTING HEADSHAVING A DIAPHRAGM MOVEMENT LIMITING PLATE MOUNTED THEREON, A DIAPHRAGMINTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID HEADS, SAID PLATE AND ONE OF SAID MOUNTING HEADSHAVING SPACED PORTIONS DIVIDING SAID PORTIONS INTO A PROCESS FLUIDCHAMBER AND AN ACTUATING FLUID CHAMBER, MEANS FOR APPLYING AN ACTUATINGFLUID PRESSURE AGAINST SAID DIAPHRAGM, AND SEALING MEANS FOR PREVENTINGLEAKAGE OF FLUID BETWEEN SAID DIAPHRAGM AND AT LEAST ONE OF SAID HEADS;SAID SEALING MEANS INCLUDING A PRESSURE APPLYING MEMBER IN ENGAGEMENTWITH SAID DIAPHRAGM, AND A RESILIENT MEMBER ENGAGING SAID PRESSUREAPPLYING MEMBER AND URGING IT TOWARD SAID DIAPHRAGM.